Early afternoon on a Wed in June we need to get from Gare Montparnesse to the Westin Vendome. (2 people, 1 suitcase and 1 backpack each). Would you taxi or take the metro (which looks direct)?
Same question for the next day going from the hotel to Gare de Nord, which doesn't look direct on the metro.
I know metro is cheaper but don't know if it is a pain with luggage. Thank you.
The metro to the Westin looks direct, but it's a trap: at Montparnasse, the line 12 platforms are a solid 10-minute walk from the mainline train platforms, full of stairs and all.
If your suitcase is bulky, a taxi feels like money well spent, and getting one at Montparnasse is very easy if you pay close attention to signage - the taxi rank is well-organized and waiting is minimal. Traffic shouldn't be an issue in the early PM.
If it's just a 25-pound piece of cabin luggage, you can still probably manage the metro if you are really averse to taxis. I often have to go to Montparnasse station with a very similar load and a similar metro journey, and I typically take the metro there and take a taxi on the way back.
For Gare du Nord, without a direct metro, it's definitely taxi for me, but do be mindful of possible traffic delays.
Even though there is the No 12 line direct from Montparnasse to Concorde, it is a long haul from the train station to the No 12 Metro station. If you are staying a the Westin, why not just splurge on a taxi?
Especially since the Westin is not right at Concorde. It's sort of equidistant between Concorde and Tuileries. So you either have to walk again or change to the 1.
Taxi -- hands down. Some things are just not worth a small saving of money. Just be sure to use one of the regular ones at the official taxi rank, and not one of the free lancers in the terminal.
Thank you! This is just the info I was looking for. Sounds like a taxi is worth it.
